- Hints, Tips, WHY for cruising dinghies

1 'Mudbusters' available at Arco Industrial Equipment Supplies throughout the UK. These are inflatable collars that fit over the foot of the wellie/wader and break the suction of mud - could be useful for those who play in the mud, notably East Coast sailors - £15.

2 I treated myself to a hand held depth sounder from The Bosun's Locker in Falmouth - rather like a small torch, works from a 9v battery. I just dip the end in, point it at the bottom and switch it on and off to obtain an illuminated, even illuminating, reading! It floats and naturally is waterproof, best gadget yet - £145.

3 Hand cleaner - I have been using a bottle of waterless hand cleaner this season and now keep a bottle permanently on the boat. Simply rub it in and rub till dry, no towel required and leaves hands bacteria free, available at High Street Chemists under various brand names.

4 I have used textured masonry paint mixed with birdcage sand for non-slip deck paint, looks good and works/wears well. I received a tip at a recent DCA meet for an alternative non-slip finish. Paint or varnish deck then sprinkle sugar on whilst wet, when dry pour a kettle of hot water over to melt the sugar leaving pitting for the non-slip. Since then I have spoken to a sailor who did this on the steps of a cabin yacht and afterwards was troubled with fungal growth, whether this was due to the enclosed cabin I do not know - the jury is out.

5 I spent the summer holiday in Fowey using a 'Hippo' buoy to moor my boat. I found the most effective way to catch the buoy was a line secured amidships with a carabinier spliced to the other end. A simple matter to clip on and secure the boat when it was amidships, tidying up with stronger mooring lines later.

6 Whilst on the subject of Fowey I explored all launching sites in the area. There are no parking or storage facilities at Bodinnick or Caffa Mill. The two slipways at Polruan are very steep, the harbour one again has no facilities for parking/storage and Toms Boatyard is private, may be available by negotiation. I launched at Yeats Farm on the approach to Bodinnick; the Oliver family are extremely pleasant and helpful. There are camping facilities on site and holiday cottages to let. I was launched for £4 each way using the farm tractor. Plenty of storage and parking facilities. The slip is available HW +/- 2 and allows full access to the River Fowey, harbour and sea via Mixtow Pill, a very sheltered creek.

7 Another DIY (damage it yourself) idea I tried was a brailing/downhaul system for the jib. I secured two rings, one each side, to the snap shackle lying opposite the clew, and took a line from the cockpit to a pulley at the bow, up to one ring then to the clew (the line now lying at 90 degrees to the forestay) across the other side of the jib to the other ring then up to the head. With the halyard taught and the sheets free, pulling the line brailed the jib. With the halyard and sheets free, pulling the line stowed the jib at the bow. That's the theory. I found it a bit problematic and have gone back to a simple downhaul; however others might like to try it.

8 I am presently having a boom tent made for my boat by:

Larevo, 31 Aberdare Ave, Drayton, Portsmouth, Hants P06 2AT Proprietor - Mr Peter Overal Tel 01705-785675.

I already have halyard and chart pockets made by him in my boat and am very happy with the quality of his work. He is visiting a fellow Potter owner close to his home to make a pattern for my tent, this illustrates his attention to detail and his prices are very reasonable - £116.

9 I also bought a Plastimo Iris 100 Compass this summer. This can be used as a steering or hand held compass, I have fitted two mounting brackets in my boat one in the cockpit and the other in the cabin. The compass takes a single AAA battery for inbuilt illumination all night, very robust and can be mounted vertically or horizontally.